What a beautiful view! I can almost smell your roses and the sweet grapes in the view.

Evelyn looks remarkably similar each day. This bloom is from yesterday and today the outer paler petals are beginning to look a little worn.
Two photos of Aloha. I like its blooms but after three years it's still not a heavy bloomer. They last a long time on the bush though.Marie Pavie and International Herald Tribune, planted rather too close to each other.Mme. Antoine Marie and Baronne Henriette de Snoy behind and to the right.I wonder why I took almost the same picture twice.La France (in the cage), Potter and Moore and Bishop's Castle in the front row are biding their time before blooming. It's nice to see green hills instead of the usual tan/brown coloration.

Gruss an Aachen posing with a soon-to-bloom perlargonium on the left and milkweed on the right. The pelargonium is beginning to come back after the bunnies feasted on it.

I’m so glad you found some bonus pictures for us! I love the way Marie Pavie and IHT have intermingled. I’d have thought you did it on purpose, had you not said anything. It makes them easier to cage, too! Gruss sure looks happy and healthy. Is that a cane from Aunt Margy’s rose that made it around the corner? It looks great, and I’d be tempted to encourage more of that behavior. Everything looks great, Ingrid! Lisa

Everything looks SO nice, Ingrid! I'm behind on reading posts, so just seeing some of your spring photos. Glad you are getting to enjoy the lush, thriving garden you so deserve and hoping your weather continues to cooperate for you.

I love the intermingling and The View. Is the yellow flower the milkweed? It adds such a dynamism to your bed. I have found that Aloha really responds to organic amendments. I know you're very good to your plants. Do you put manure on them? It's hard for me to pick a favorite but I do really like International Herald Tribune. I think about it a lot but no one around me seems to grow it. The color reminds me of my new polyantha Christian J.

Looking good! I really enjoy your panoramic shots of the hills. I'm glad you are enjoying the freshness this spring!

It's a nice view to see the green hills, and to think about the Pacific Ocean on the CA coastline...

Your roses look so graceful, Ingrid, I love the arching shape of the Teas. They look awesome, wonderful colors and so many buds.

HEY! Great pix! Lovely roses! WHEEEEE!!!

vapor, yes that flower is milkweed and the little blooms are lasting so long right now. I feel that all that pink needs a contrast so it's not too "sweet", and the critters don't touch the milkweed. K S, you're correct, those are cypresses which were here before us, and we've added a few more. Of course now they say they're a fire hazard! Lisa, I should call you Eagle Eyes for spotting Aunt Margy's Rose behind Gruss an Aachen. Thank you, Krista, hope you'll visit California again some time. Jeri, isn't this weather wonderful? Finally, finally something very good has happened with the weather here.

Ingrid - that's really interesting re pairing pink with a contrasting color so that it doesn't become "too sweet". I tend to shy away from pinks for that reason, but there are so many beautiful pink roses! I put my toe in the water this year with a few pinks - any suggestions re what colors you find help keep pinks from looking too sweet?

cyndita, using darker, stronger pinks among the lighter ones is one way, and companion plants in different shapes and colors is another. Yellow, white and purple would all work, with yellow probably packing the most punch, and something linear instead of round and soft is a good contrast with the roses, with much smaller flowers. Taller and larger roses also look less "sweet" than cute little bushes.

Ingrid, your words are like a Master Class in garden design!

I agree with everyone above. Beautiful combo. light pinks with stronger colours and bright companion plants makes roses not so sweet. Just like an art that you look elsewhere not only roses. Beautifully planned. I love it !!
Genius :)
jin

Ingrid, thank you - that's a great suggestion to look at both the color AND the shape of the companion plants - I hadn't thought of that!

cyndita, you're so welcome. Now of course we're looking forward to seeing pictures of what you've accomplished!

Oh, Ingrid - it's amateur hour over here - set your expectations accordingly :o)

No expectations whatsoever, cyndita, except that we should all have fun :o)